Welcome!!! Hang in there and go easy on yourself. I found the first 4 days the hardest and survived them by just doing nothing but reading and learning about sobriety. Your sleep will improve and you will soon be having the deep, restoring sleep your body needs. I also had bad anxiety, but the longer I stayed sober, the better it got. I wish you the best on your new journey!!!
Welcome! Day 1! You can do it! Withdrawals suck, but like many said, drink TONS of water and def get some EmergenC packs. They work wonders. I would NOT recommend Xanax, but that’s just my opinion. Ask your doctor for Zofran, it’s a nausea pill that you take daily and it helps with anxiety. Just a thought!!
Hey oneday! I made it through day 1 as well and had trouble sleeping last night. I am trying to keep my mind in a neutral place to avoid a lot of the anxiety, but so far it has been a little hard to do. When I look at things, I think i expected these first few days to be rough in terms of sleeping and anxiety, so I could better prepare mentally for them, but it is still hard. Congrats on your day one complete and you wanting to be on this sober journey! Just take it easy on yourself these few days
Yes that’s how I feel too! I am expecting the first few days to be tough - doing some research, what they warn you about is pretty scary! But I’m young and overall healthy besides the alcohol abuse, so hoping things go okay.
Maybe try some chamomile tea or melatonin to help get some sleep. Chicken noodle or tomato soup if you can eat. Try not let yourself get overwhelmed with detoxing, can be frightening but if you think you need to get into a hospital. Just remember that you will get better as the days go by, putting that poison in our body has some pretty harsh effects. Wish you well in your recovery.
Yeah I will be trying chamomile tonight. Laid in bed at 10:30, eyes shut and felt so tired, but didn’t fall asleep until 4:30 and only slept until 5:30 am. Crazy. Definitely researching about it and hearing the severe symptoms is scary. But after hearing everyone’s stories on here, it doesn’t seem too many experience those so that is how I am just trying to not freak myself out. Much appreciated!
Ive had some pretty bad detoxes, hallucinations and phycosis, hospital and detox facilities can help alot when its neccessary its a rough experience but like Scott said we dont have to go through it again as long as we dont pick back up.
If it helps you are definitely not alone in this. I have the shakes, anxiety and jist started nausea to the point any smells make me wanna throw up. Anytime you need someone to talk to I’m here!
I take my loose change for the cause. The books were given to me for free!
There is also a big book plus the others free on an app
Wish you well, Odaat!!
Symptoms have lessened for me a bit as the day went on. Still shakey but definitely not as bad as when I first woke up. I just hope it continues to improve and doesn’t get super bad! Best of luck to you as well
It will get better as long as you stick with it! I just hit 2 weeks sober today and it definitely was a rollercoaster ride to get here but I much better than I have in a really long time. I’m still struggling with sleep because I used alcohol to put me to sleep for years.
My best tips are getting some sleepy type tea and reading in bed. Maybe take a hot shower and put on some fresh pjs before you get in bed and read something. Try not to use your phone or any screens bc it will keep you awake. Don’t try to force yourself to sleep. Laying in the dark can be a perfect environment for your anxiety and overthinking to take over. I just read and read until I drop the book from dozing off. You could also try listening to some meditation or ASMR videos.
Yeah I have been drinking heavily for 3-4 years and even when I’d stop one day a week, I would struggle sleeping. But last night was just terrible! Will try some of these suggestions. Thank you!
It’s a big change, but we have to create a new bedtime routine for our bodies to get used to. I also struggle with anxiety pretty bad in general, so I know how that is amplified when giving up alcohol and not having the ability to “self medicate”. I would personally avoid Xanax because it can be a slippery slope to start taking it, and this is a time when you body and mind are quite vulnerable.
I have anxiety as well, and was prescribed the Xanax for my panic attacks which I don’t have anymore, so I don’t use the Xanax and haven’t in months. But this morning, I was shaking very badly and couldn’t go back to sleep so I took one. They are very low dose. And my doctor had advised me if I do detox (this was a couple of months ago), I can take one to help with side effects… I likely won’t be taking another as my symptoms have improved pretty well so far. If symptoms do worsen, is there any recommendations on what to take instead of the Xanax?
